If you're heading to Luna Pier this week, be prepared to share the shoreline with thousands of mayflies.

Mayfly season in Michigan typically runs from June through August, with hatchings common along bodies of water like Lake St. Clair and in Monroe County. But right now, Luna Pier appears to be at the epicenter of the swarm.

Watch the video report below: Mayflies swarm Luna Pier, signaling the start of summer in Michigan

Theyre fine on the sidewalk. Then once you go in the grass, its like a whole tornado happening, said Adysynn Gonzalez, who spends summers in Luna Pier.

The mayflies are blanketing sidewalks, trees, homes and people. The swarms are especially noticeable near grassy areas, where children have taken to collecting and playing with the tiny insects.

I just grab them, said Aria Kuehnlein, who lives in Luna Pier.

You pick them up by their wings like this, Adysynn said.

The bugs, while a nuisance for some, are actually a good sign for the local environment.

Actually, a fact about it is that they clean the water, Adysynn said.

Experts agree. Mayflies are considered a key indicator of clean and well-oxygenated water. Their presence suggests the aquatic ecosystem is healthy. Though they only live for 24 to 48 hours, once they emerge, their brief life cycle plays an important role in the food web and water quality.

Legend Hubbard, another young mayfly fan, says he's grown fond of the bugs.

I had a best friend mayfly and he was my best friend yesterday, he said, smiling. Somehow, hes still living today.

Still, the seasonal surge isnt for everyone.

Its a little bit annoying, Robby Kuehnlein said. Gotta stay out of the grass, maybe cancel some plans at the park.

While mayflies have also been spotted in nearby Monroe, its Luna Pier that seems to be at the height of the hatch.

Mayfly season typically wraps up by late August, and residents say this week may be the peak. Until then, locals are learning to coexist, or at least try.

When the mayflies come, its definitely summertime, Zoey Hubbard said.

This story was reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

A controversial proposal to bring a Sheetz gas station to Royal Oak was approved Monday night by the city commission, despite vocal opposition from dozens of residents.

Watch Sarah Michals' video report: Royal Oak approves controversial Sheetz gas station at 14 Mile and Coolidge

The new gas station and convenience store will be built at the intersection of 14 Mile Road and Coolidge. While commissioners say the development is the best option for the land, many neighbors strongly disagree.

Throughout the meeting, resident after resident urged the city to reject the plan, citing concerns about increased traffic, safety issues, and proximity to schools and playgrounds. Only one resident spoke in favor of the development.

If youre unfamiliar, Sheetz is a 24-hour gas station and convenience store chain thats expanding aggressively across southeast Michigan.

Company officials say they plan to open 50 to 60 locations statewide over the next five to six years.

Proposed locations include cities like Macomb, Warren, Farmington Hills, Novi, Roseville, Shelby Township, and Taylor. Royal Oak now joins that list.

Many residents expressed frustration and emotion during public comment.

You people have picked the stupidest place in the entire city of Royal Oak to put that thing, said Mike, a lifelong Royal Oak resident.

Its a half mile from an elementary school, there are playgrounds all over the place, said one resident.

Please, or are you selling out your neighbors for Sheetz? another person asked.

One resident became emotional while speaking about their elderly mother who lives nearby.

Shes had two heart attacks. We dont have minutes to spare, they said, referring to ambulance response time.

Ahead of the meeting, Royal Oak Mayor Michael Fournier issued a statement addressing an uptick in harassment and aggressive behavior at commission meetings. On Monday, however, the crowd remained relatively calm despite strong emotions.

The Sheetz project will move forward following the commission's vote.

The Warren Police Department in partnership with the city of Warren, the Macomb County Prosecutors Office, Wayne State University, a 37th District Court judge and the nonprofit Turning Point Macomb are launching a first-of-its-kind domestic violence prevention program.

The initiative, called Operation Cycle Break, will take their domestic violence approach from reactive to proactive.

Watch Sarah Michals' video report below: Breaking cycles: Warren partnership takes new approach to tackle domestic violence

Warren Police Commissioner Eric Hawkins said the precipice of the program was this past winter when he noticed that almost 50% of their violent crimes had a domestic violence tie.

Almost 70% of our homicides have this domestic violence nexus, he said.

Below are the gaps Hawkins said their traditional response model had:

Limited Initial Contact: Our initial follow-ups were almost exclusively by phone. If we could not reach someone, there was often no in-person follow-up at all. Missed Opportunities for Intervention: This often meant cases were not fully authorized, and critically, victims and offenders were not connected with the vital resources they needed. Slow Justice: Victims might receive a court date letter in the mail up to 90 days after an incident. This delay not only prolonged their distress but also created opportunities for further harm. Lack of Proactive Monitoring: We were not routinely conducting unannounced welfare checks for victims or suspects, nor were we completing essential lethality assessments. Batterer intervention counseling was not typically offered at bond, and overall case progress was not systematically monitored for effectiveness.

According to Hawkins, the shortcomings meant the department was:

"Often playing catch-up, and the cycle of violence or re-offending was not being effectively broken. Operation Cycle Break representing a holistic shift in response and now takes a proactive and integrated approach to these incidents. We are implementing a multi-faceted strategy that prioritizes immediate intervention, continuous monitoring and streamlined processes."

Some of the key improvements police outlined of Operation Cycle Break include:

Immediate, In-Person Follow-Up: We now require initial follow-up by both phone and, critically, in-person, especially if we cannot make primary phone contact. This ensures we reach those who need us most. Essential Lethality Assessments: Our officers are now required to complete a multi-questions lethality assessment. This crucial tool helps us identify high-risk situations and prioritize our response, involving all necessary stakeholders. Increased Offender Accountability: Upon arrest, suspects receive a letter informing them that we will be actively monitoring their behavior post-custody. They are also provided with a resource pamphlet outlining available local services, encouraging them to seek help. Mandatory Intervention at Bond: We are now actively requesting court-ordered batterer intervention counseling as a condition of bond. This is a critical step in addressing the root causes of offending behavior. Prompt Victim Support: Within just 10 days of the initial incident, our detectives are personally following up with victims. We are ensuring they are safe, secure, not re-victimized, and that offenders are complying with no-contact orders. Streamlined Court Process: We have standardized court dates to every Wednesday. This allows all stakeholders law enforcement, victim advocates, and the courts to be present, fostering better collaboration and significantly expediting the legal process. Aggressive Pursuit of Absconders: If offenders fail to appear in court, our department takes immediate, proactive action to locate them and bring them before the court. Faster Case Resolution: This concentrated effort is already yielding remarkable results. We are seeing cases successfully resolved in the 37th District Court far quicker than historically. Active Monitoring of High-Risk Offenders: We are actively monitoring high-risk offenders to prevent re-offending, breaking the cycle and enhancing public safety.

The program quietly launched at the beginning of May. In just the first month, Hawkins says:

Domestic violence-related warrants increased by nearly 30% Offenders began receiving counseling before sentencing Police reported stronger connections with survivors

Dr. Sharman Davenport, president of Turning Point Macomb, says this kind of proactive, trauma-informed approach can make a lasting difference.

The fact that this model is based on trying to break the generational cycle of domestic violence is critical, Davenport said. You need to know that if somebody comes to your house to help you that they believe you.

Hear more from Dr. Sharman Davenport below: Extended interview: President and CEO of Turning Point talks about how the organization helps victims of domestic violence

Davenport, whos worked with survivors for more than 25 years, believes this kind of collaboration between police, courts and social services could lead to more trust and better long-term outcomes for families.

I really think its going to create a much more successful outcome for the survivor and for their family, she said.

Resources for Survivors

Turning Point Macomb operates a 24-hour confidential hotline for survivors of domestic and sexual violence at 586-463-6990.

The parents of Patrick Lyoya are speaking out following the Kent County prosecutors decision not to retry former Grand Rapids police officer Christopher Schurr in their sons 2022 death. The family also announced a $100 million civil lawsuit against the city of Grand Rapids and Schurr.

Watch Sarah Michals' video report: Lyoya family files $100M lawsuit against Grand Rapids, Officer Schurr after mistrial

Patrick Lyoya, a 26-year-old Congolese immigrant, was fatally shot by Schurr during a traffic stop in April 2022. Schurr was charged with second-degree murder, but his trial ended in a mistrial last month when the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict. In May, prosecutors said they would not pursue a retrial.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Judge declares a mistrial in trial of ex-Grand Rapids officer Christopher Schurr Judge declares a mistrial in trial of ex-Grand Rapids officer Christopher Schurr

Speaking through a translator, Lyoyas parents, Dorcas and Peter, shared their heartbreak at the decision during a news conference on Thursday in Detroit.

This decision really broke me down, and my heart is still bleeding right now, said Dorcas Lyoya, wiping away tears.

Peter Lyoya echoed his wifes pain, expressing doubts about the fairness of the legal process.

From the beginning, I had doubt, and I realized maybe this thing is not going to happen good, Peter said. He also voiced concerns about the racial makeup of the jury, which was predominantly white.

I realized, we Black in this country, we are not important to the justice, Peter said.

The Lyoyas, who immigrated to the U.S. from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, have vowed to continue their fight for justice through the civil courts.

Attorney Ven Johnson announced the familys $100 million lawsuit, seeking damages from both the city of Grand Rapids and Schurr. The case will be heard in Kalamazoo, though Johnson said it could be at least two years before it goes to trial.

Under civil law, if someone is found what we call liable or responsible, then they would pay a jury verdict or a judgment, Johnson explained.

The Lyoya family sees the civil case as their last remaining hope for justice after the failed criminal trial.

The only hope that the Lyoyas have for justice is now under the civil courts, Johnson said.

Patrick Lyoyas death drew national attention. The fatal encounter began when Schurr pulled Lyoya over for improper vehicle registration. A struggle ensued, during which Schurr shot Lyoya in the back of the head while Lyoya was face down on the ground.

Schurr's defense maintains that the use of force was justified as Schurr feared for his life.

Despite the setbacks, the Lyoya family remains determined.

Im not tired. I will keep fighting for the justice of my son, Peter Lyoya said.

For me, Im not happy, and I will never be happy until we find justice for Patrick, added Dorcas Lyoya.

The first step in the civil case will be a scheduling conference, set for June 17.

This story was reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

A mothers worst fear became a terrifying reality Sunday night when her truck, with her three young children inside, was stolen from a gas station on Michigan Avenue in Wayne.

Watch the video report below: They aint goin nowhere: Wayne mom reunites with her 3 children after terrifying car theft

Ebony Foley said she had just run into the store around 11 p.m. to grab some milk. She left her 3-year-old son and 1-and-a-half-year-old twin boys inside the truck. When she looked out the window to check on them, the truck, and her children, were gone.

I almost didnt believe it, Foley said. Like, Hold on, did I park somewhere else? Because it didnt feel real. Foley immediately called 911.

As soon as everything got dispatched, all of a sudden, all you hear is a bunch of sirens, for probably a mile down, she said.

Watch extended interview with Ebony Foley as she talks about the moment when she realized her truck and kids were gone Extended interview: Mom talks about the moment she realized her vehicle and children were gone

Wayne Police, along with officers from Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, and Inkster, quickly responded. Within minutes, an undercover Dearborn officer located the stolen vehicle and arrested the 25-year-old suspect at a gas station on Cherry Hill Road in Dearborn Heights. But the children were not inside the truck.

Just one minute later, police received a call from a resident who reported hearing crying children behind a business on Grandview Street in Inkster. Police say the suspect had abandoned the kids there.

Theyre babies still, Foley said. Anything could have happened with them sitting on the side of the road if nobody heard them.

The resident, who asked not to be identified, provided 7 News Detroit with surveillance video showing him carrying the children to his driveway and calling authorities. All three boys were found safe and unharmed.

Watch: Video shows residents finding kids who were in the stolen vehicle Web extra: Video shows residents find kids who were in car when it was stolen

When asked how she felt seeing her children safe, Foley said, "I dont know how to explain it, I felt faint.

Now reunited, 3-year-old Markos, along with twins Isaiah and Gabriel, are back home with their parents.

Oh yeah, Foley said, holding her sons close. They aint goin nowhere.

God is great, said their father, Habil Nissan. When you put your hope in God, thats all you have.

Police are calling the incident a crime of opportunity and are reminding all parents and drivers to stay vigilant.

This story was reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.